FEBRUARY 2012
FROM THE VICAR'S DESK ...
ABOUT A VICAR…
Can you remember having a substitute teacher in school? Substitutes have a difficult job: they have to come into an unfamiliar setting and try to fill someone else’s role. The whole time, both they and their students know that this is just temporary – the real teacher will be back soon.
Did you know that the word “vicar” means substitute? I bear the title Vicar, and to answer a frequent question, you can feel free to call me either Vicar Rob or Vicar Morris. But the title, “Vicar,” is not exactly a lofty, grandiose thing. It simply means that I am a substitute. I am in new territory, serving in someone else’s place.
But for whom am I a substitute? In whose place am I serving? Well, there are two answers for that. The first answer is that I am serving as a substitute for you. You have called me to serve this congregation, to lead it in the proper teaching of the Gospel and the proper administration of the Sacraments. God has given that authority to his church (see John 20:21), and you have entrusted it to me. I am a substitute for the congregation before God. In those portions of the Divine Service when I face the altar, just as you do, I am serving as your substitute, your vicar, before God. That is a blessed role!
There is a second answer as well: I am also serving as a substitute for Christ Himself. That is a service that brings with it great joy and great responsibility. As a vicar for Christ, I am charged with speaking His Word and showing His love to the entire congregation and far beyond. This role is also God-given (see Ephesians 4:11). I cannot do this on my own authority or power, and no one should mistake me for the real thing – Christ, who will be back soon. Still, in those portions of the Divine Service when I am facing from the altar towards the congregation, I am serving as Christ’s substitute, his vicar, to all of you. That is a blessed role, too!
And if you want to know something really exciting, I am not the only one authorized to serve in that role. It is true that the church has uniquely called me to represent the congregation before Christ and to represent Christ to the congregation. But each one of you has that same calling within the World. The Bible teaches us that in our prayers, we can represent the entire world before God, seeking his mercy and grace on behalf of those around us (see James 5:19-20 for example). Likewise, the Bible teaches that we speak on God’s behalf to his people both near and far (see 2 Corinthians 5:20 for example).
So, you see, even though I am charged with a unique role as Vicar of Christ the King, you are all serving as representatives of this world before Christ and as representatives of Christ to the world. You are all vicars – and that is a blessed role! Feel free to call me Vicar Rob or Vicar Morris. Just don’t be surprised if I turn around and call you Vicar as well! I am honored to serve Christ the King as your vicar. I am also blessed to be your co-worker in the kingdom, as we all lift one another up before the throne of grace and bring Christ’s Word of reconciliation to all the World.
In Christ,
Vicar Rob Morris
